Winter Prospect Park Walk

Today I decided to check out Prospect Park located in Brooklyn (Kings County).   Even though I’ve lived in Brooklyn for nearly 4.5 years, I only came here once and it was for the zoo not the park itself.  Given the cold temperatures I was only able to explore a small portion of the park but from what I found I cannot wait to come back here in the spring and see more.  

What always amazes me about these areas is similar to Manhattans Central Park, these are large outdoor green areas located in the heart of city life.  Giving people an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban New York.  Looking forward to exploring more and posting about this park again. 

Columbus Park (Lower Manhattan/Chinatown area)

Columbus Park located in Manhattan (New York County) is one of the oldest parks in the City.  Named after the famous Italian explorer and a throwback to the once Italian neighborhood, the park is located on Mulberry Street and Baxter Street.  The park which now sits in Chinatown, is rather large and has playgrounds for the kids, a soccer field and an area for the many Asian residents to come and play card games or Mahjong.  If you arrive early enough you’ll find elderly Asians performing again Chi and frequent practice of martial arts is seen throughout the day.  The neighborhood in recent years has been slowly changing as rents increase and forces some of the older immigrants out, but a stroll through this park brings you back to a time when New York City was dominated by different immigrant groups and offers a nice open space in an otherwise crowded part of the city.  

Marine Park Salt Marsh Hike

Today I went for the first time to take a hike....in Brooklyn!  I was feeling energized after my after work nap and I headed out to Marine Park where I had read there was some trails through the Salt Marsh there.  I was impressed, the location and escape is literally in the middle of the Brooklyn neighborhood which carries the same name.  But as you enter and walk you feel yourself transported away from the chaos of Kings County behind you.  Featuring vast open fields, tall grass and a smell of salt water Marsh that reminded me so much of Short Beach in Smithtown, I was feeling at home.  I will definitely be looking up more outdoors style places in the coming months around New York.